COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM / TEMPLEOGUE / FIRHOUSE / BOHERNABREENA AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

QUESTION NO.13

QUESTION: Councillor L.Guéret

To ask the Chief Executive if he plans to provide additional funding in the upcoming budget for the Windows and Doors Programme in Rathfarnham-Templeogue and Firhouse-Bohernabreena Local Electoral Areas.

REPLY:

Housing Maintenance Section are currently replacing windows and doors under a number of different funding programmes.  In each case, the funding provided is on a county wide basis and is allocated to properties based on an established need rather than a geographical location. The options for replacing windows and doors currently are as follows.

  1. Following a countywide survey of properties completed in 2017/18, the Windows and Doors capital replacement programme was established in 2019. Due to covid the completion of the programme was delayed.  The survey specifically identified properties with single glazed timber or aluminium units.  Approximately 600 properties across the county requiring works were identified. Currently there are approximately 150 properties with contractors, with the remaining 200 properties surveyed, with tender preparation underway.  Once these works are complete, this specific programme will end.
  2. Emergency Works are carried out on properties where due to the current condition of the windows, a safety risk is evident.
  3. Windows and Doors typically form part of the work under the Energy Retrofit Programme. Funding is allocated annually by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.   Going forward, this will be the main source of funding used to replace windows and doors. In order for the replacement to take place, other upgrade works, including insulation, heating and ventilation, will be carried out at the same time.  Tenants will be required to agree to all aspects of the works, in particular the conversion of existing gas and oil heating systems to more energy efficient low pollutant option, such as air to water heat pumps.  The overall aim of the scheme is to carry out upgrade works to the building fabric and heating systems to achieve a minimum Building Energy Rating of B2.  Housing Maintenance are currently working to expand the availability of contractors to allow for additional capacity to deliver the works required subject to availability of funding.